I am currently at a backpackers [hostel] in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have spent my time here staying in a black township in Alexandria, which is in the Eastern Cape of SA. The townships fall basically by race, the black township being the most poor and under resourced. The evidence of apartheid is very evident in my opinion. Most white South Africans have full time help from a black maid. These maids are treated well and paid fairly, but most white people have not had a time when they have not had full time help from a black maid. The white family I spoke with was shocked that in the US, we have full time jobs and don't have maids. They are surprised that we could possibly have time to do both.
As far as major events go, we have celebrated 4th of July with a South African twist - with the Xhosa people (X is said with a "click" sound) of Alana's township (including sparkley American flag banners & temporary tattoos!) - they cooked us a traditional Xhosa dish that was delicious. The following day we went to the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and had a 4th of July braai (BBQ) with a white South African family that has taken after Alana. They BBQ (or braai, as they refer to it) over an open flame. They made chicken and warthog for us, both of which were soooo tasty. (Yes, this recovering vegetarian feasted on warthog!) We ate so much food that we had stomach aches. Yesterday, we went to Addo Elephant Park which was INCREDIBLE, let me tell you! Addo is a park that allows people to view animals native to the Eastern Cape in a safe way. They have tamed some of the animals, but many are still wild. We saw hundreds of elephants - some were inches away from our car! It was so amazing. We also saw lots of zebra, ostrich, warthog, meerkat, kudu (large deer-like animals with twirly antlers), beautiful cranes & small birds. We could not stop freaking out over each animal, even if we had spotted them several times. One of the rules is not to hang out of your car window, which was really difficult to follow!!
Alana, Dani & I & some elephant friends @ Addo!
Today we wanted to gather children from Alana's township to play & dance, but it was raining. It is currently winter in SA, so the weather is questionable. We have been really cold - the weather would be in the high 50's/low 60's. The tricky part is that no buildings are really insulated, so it's the same temperature as it is outside on the inside. We are in Port Elizabeth tonight because I am flying out tomorrow at 8am to Uganda, and PE is about an hour outside of Alexandria, where Alana stays. So it just makes more sense to spend the night here. I can't believe my adventures in SA are already over! It has been so awesome to connect with Alana & actually see the places she has been writing to me about since January 2011. SA is so different from Uganda in terms of advancement. Even some of the poorest places are far more advanced than any place I have seen in Uganda. But, there are clear common threads which must just carry over through African culture in general. The Eastern Cape is a gorgeous place with incredible scenery, kind and generous people, and lots of diversity. I am so thankful I was able to spend time here with Alana, who is a real local!! Next time you hear from me, I will be in Uganda!!
Sawubonana! (Goodbye)
As far as major events go, we have celebrated 4th of July with a South African twist - with the Xhosa people (X is said with a "click" sound) of Alana's township (including sparkley American flag banners & temporary tattoos!) - they cooked us a traditional Xhosa dish that was delicious. The following day we went to the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and had a 4th of July braai (BBQ) with a white South African family that has taken after Alana. They BBQ (or braai, as they refer to it) over an open flame. They made chicken and warthog for us, both of which were soooo tasty. (Yes, this recovering vegetarian feasted on warthog!) We ate so much food that we had stomach aches. Yesterday, we went to Addo Elephant Park which was INCREDIBLE, let me tell you! Addo is a park that allows people to view animals native to the Eastern Cape in a safe way. They have tamed some of the animals, but many are still wild. We saw hundreds of elephants - some were inches away from our car! It was so amazing. We also saw lots of zebra, ostrich, warthog, meerkat, kudu (large deer-like animals with twirly antlers), beautiful cranes & small birds. We could not stop freaking out over each animal, even if we had spotted them several times. One of the rules is not to hang out of your car window, which was really difficult to follow!!
Alana, Dani & I & some elephant friends @ Addo!
Today we wanted to gather children from Alana's township to play & dance, but it was raining. It is currently winter in SA, so the weather is questionable. We have been really cold - the weather would be in the high 50's/low 60's. The tricky part is that no buildings are really insulated, so it's the same temperature as it is outside on the inside. We are in Port Elizabeth tonight because I am flying out tomorrow at 8am to Uganda, and PE is about an hour outside of Alexandria, where Alana stays. So it just makes more sense to spend the night here. I can't believe my adventures in SA are already over! It has been so awesome to connect with Alana & actually see the places she has been writing to me about since January 2011. SA is so different from Uganda in terms of advancement. Even some of the poorest places are far more advanced than any place I have seen in Uganda. But, there are clear common threads which must just carry over through African culture in general. The Eastern Cape is a gorgeous place with incredible scenery, kind and generous people, and lots of diversity. I am so thankful I was able to spend time here with Alana, who is a real local!! Next time you hear from me, I will be in Uganda!!
Sawubonana! (Goodbye)
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